Ryu Hyun-jin, who signed an eight-year contract with Hanwha for a total of 17 billion won (including the opt-out clause and details not disclosed) on the 22nd and announced his full-fledged KBO League comeback, left for Okinawa, Japan, where his teammates were waiting for him on the 23rd, a day after the contract was concluded. Hanwha finished its first camp focusing on technology, physical strength and tactics in Canberra, Australia, and heard good news that Ryu Hyun-jin's comeback was at the beginning of the second camp in Okinawa, which is focused on actual games. The atmosphere of the camp is at its best.

Ryu arrived on Sunday and immediately started preparing for this season. He had been staying in Korea through negotiations with Major League teams and the Hanwha Eagles. He underwent training in Korea to prepare for the 2024 season. Although he was not able to throw balls outdoors, he increased the number of pitches indoors. Whether it was a Major League team or Hanwha Eagles, he had to throw balls in the spring camp immediately after signing a contract. Although he failed to follow his routine up to 100 percent, he reportedly improved his physical condition to a considerable extent.

In an interview with reporters before departing on Sunday, Ryu also expressed confidence in his physical condition and condition. "Now I have no problem. I don't think there is anything wrong with that," Ryu said, defying his view on the aftereffects of elbow surgery by saying, "I pitched indoors, raising the number of pitches to 65. As soon as he goes to Okinawa today (Sept. 23), he will be able to train right away. "It's been a while since I played catch ball outdoors, so I think I will start pitching right away if I feel okay while playing catch ball."

Although it is indoor pitching, the number of 65 throws in the bullpen is not that small as of now. It is almost the same as the number of throws that a starting pitcher usually throws in the first camp. Ryu also explained that this figure is his routine or higher. Considering that he cannot throw balls outdoors, he has taken more pitches than usual. Ryu threw balls right away from the bullpen, and Hanwha's coaching staff judges that there is no major problem. He set the number of pitches that day at 45.

Now, Ryu is expected to adjust the timing of his appearance at a practice game in Okinawa after going through the bullpen session. There is no reason to be in a hurry. Anyway, as he will spend one year this year, up to eight years in the long run, it is desirable to take steps slowly. If he is in a hurry, he could have a setback in preparation for this season. However, Ryu is a veteran pitcher with a firm routine. As he has ample experience in preparing for the season, he knows when to accelerate and when to brake on his own. He is expected to discuss his schedule in the future after consulting with the coaching staff.

Then, how will Ryu take the mound for the first time in a regular season? If you look at the current trend, his performance is a bit delayed compared to other pitchers preparing to start an opening game. It is a given that foreign pitchers who are accustomed to Major League-style routines are starting about two innings at this time of the year, increasing the number of innings and pitches in each game. A typical example is Aaron Wilkerson (Lotte Giants) who pitched in an exchange game with the Chiba Lotte Giants on Monday. Wilkerson pitched two innings and 40 pitches on Wednesday. Other foreign pitchers are aiming at such pitches in their first appearance.

Ryu said of the season opener, "Looking at the current number of pitches, I think I'm in a good situation. I think I threw more than I thought I would. I haven't done my best to throw yet. I think I'll have to feel it when I go there today." There is no problem with my elbow. Rather, he feels as if it is not his elbow last year, but he has regained normalcy from the second to third years. Ryu also said, "Once I have Tommy John surgery, I think I feel comfortable because the most comfortable time is during the second to third years. I think I've been doing it smoothly and comfortably so far."

Considering the number of pitches he throws, he needs to throw several more bullpen sessions before he can take part in the actual game. In general, he throws at least 60 to 80 pitches before going into the actual game. For this reason, chances are high that Ryu's first pitching at a practice game will be delayed. Other pitchers also played live games, which was right before his actual game, but Ryu did not have this stage at all. As he has no sense of play at games since his last pitching in the last season last year, Hanwha is also expected to be cautious.

Another variable is that this year's opening will likely be faster than usual. Unlike previous years, which started in late March to early April, the KBO League will start this year on March 23rd rather early. Due to climate change, it rained more in summer, and this year, the season's Premier 12 will be held after the season, so the league opened as early as possible and the All-Star break was shortened. This is to allow some room in the schedule. There are 10 exhibition games to be held. Ryu cannot be the only player in the exhibition game. Several players have to take turns to play in innings in exhibition games. The number of appearances in exhibition games is not enough either.

Choi Won-ho, manager of the Hanwha Eagles, said, "If Ryu's physical condition is normal, it is natural to start an opening game. His skills and symbolism are the same. This explains why there is a strong possibility that Ryu will play in the opening game of this season against the LG Twins, which will take place at Jamsil Stadium on March 23. There is no reason to throw 100 pitches from the first round. Recently, KBO League starting pitchers started the regular season with about 80 pitches and gradually increased the number of pitches, and the trend is to reach 100 percent from mid-April to the end of April. If Ryu is judged to be able to throw as many as 60 to 80 pitches without difficulty, he may start the opening game.

LG is the champion of combined championship last year and the strongest team in the KBO league as evidenced by its own reputation. Such a scenario in which LG and Ryu will face off each other from the opening game is sufficient to become the talk of the town in the KBO league opener. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, who is currently holding a spring camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, is also wary.

While the symbolism of the season opener is important, it is also quite meaningful to have a return match at the home opener on March 29 considering the current state of Ryu Hyun-jin. It would be great to play in both the season opener and the home opener, but given the current progress, it may not be easy. Then, there is another way to give more time and set March 29 as D-Day. While the first-tier Korean Professional Baseball League is moving according to the schedule of the first-tier Korean Professional Baseball League, the second-tier Korean Professional Baseball League has practice games, so it is not difficult to increase the number of appearances in the actual games once more.

There is an example. Kim Kwang-hyun returned to the KBO League from the Major League ahead of the 2022 season. Kim also agonized over offers from Major League teams at the time and made a surprise comeback after the spring camp began. Kim also had an indoor pitching capacity increase, but lacked overall sense compared to other players who started the camp from the beginning. Kim also had an outdoor training camp in earnest from the second camp in Okinawa.

In theory, Kim Kwang-hyun also predicted the possibility of starting the opening game, but considering the overall situation, he decided that it would be better to postpone the schedule of his appearance a little. Kim did not play in the opening game that started on April 2 at the time, but instead made a comeback to the KBO League against KIA on April 9 at Incheon. Kim Kwang-hyun also increased the number of pitches by going back and forth between the first and second teams, and became a winning pitcher by cutting six innings to 74 at his first appearance.

Anyway, with the current progress, Ryu has theoretical room to play in the opening game of the season against LG, the three consecutive away games against SSG, and the home opening game against KT. LG, SSG and KT, which have potential to be opposing teams, all have to pay attention to each other. Although it is only one of 144 games, we need to consider the spotlight that will pour on the game in terms of Ryu's return game. It cannot be the same game as usual. Attention is focusing on Ryu's schedule for bullpen pitching and practice and demonstration games.

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